ome more, or will it make me
sick?

PHILIP. [_Serves the children._] No, there's plenty. When there isn't
enough, mamma always says it will make us sick.

CHRISTOPHER. And papa--when we have company unexpected, and there isn't
enough of anything, papa always says F.H.B.

PHILIP. F.H.B.

ELAINE. Why?

CHRISTOPHER. He says it means Family Hold Back, and we all have to say
"No, thank you," when it comes around! Do you like grandma, Phil?

PHILIP. Naw! Grandma's no good.

[MOLES _goes out with the empty ice cream dish._

TOOTS. No good, grandma!

[_A knock outside the door Left._

GEORGIANA. [_Outside._] Hello! Hello!

PHILIP. [_Delighted._] Aunt Georgiana!

ALL THE CHILDREN. Aunt Georgiana!

GEORGIANA. [_Outside._] Is this a private room at Sherry's, or may an
old maid aunt come in?

ALL. No! Yes! Come in--come on in!

[_They clatter on the table with their spoons, and shout "Hurrah! Aunt
Georgiana!" as_ GEORGIANA _enters. She is a beautiful creature, about
thirty, and in the very height of health and spirits--an American Beauty
rose the moment before it opens. She is flushed after her quick walk in
the bracing, sunshiny winter's day. No wonder the children--and
others--adore her!_

GEORGIANA. What a good time!

CHRISTOPHER. Oh, we're having the beautifulest time, Auntie!

PHILIP. Great!

ELAINE. Perfectly lovely!

TOOTS. Um! Ice cream! Lots!

GEORGIANA. That's good! Stuff all you can, Toots! Are you ready to cut
the cake?

ALL THE CHILDREN. Yes! Yes!

PHILIP. We waited for you.

CHRISTOPHER. We wouldn't let grandma.

[GEORGIANA _drops her furs on the sofa and then comes to the table._

GEORGIANA. There's a ring in it. Whoever gets it will be married in a
year.

[_Starts to cut the cake._

TOOTS. I want the ring!

PHILIP. Hush up, you're only a baby!

[_A loud knock on the door Left._

GEORGIANA. Oh, yes, I forgot. Cousin Sam wants to wish you many happy
returns, Philip. May he come in?

PHILIP. Pshaw! Another man!

CHRISTOPHER. [_In a "stagewhisper" to_ ELAINE.] He's the one--auntie's
sweetheart!

GEORGIANA. [_Amused._] Nonsense, Christopher, that's silly talk. Stop
that for good! [_Loud knocks repeated. To_ PHILIP.] May Cousin Sam come
in? [PHILIP _nods_.] All right, he's got some presents! Come in, Mr.
Coast.

[COAST _comes in and goes straight to_ PHILIP. SAM COAST _is a tall,
slender, but strong-looking man, rather "raw-boned." He is dressed most
fashionably and most